Question

Find the smaller solution for
5x^2-51=9

Answer 1

add 51 to both sides

5x = 60

divide by 5

x^2 = 60/5

x^2 = 12

then take the square root of both sides

\[x = \pm \sqrt{12}\]

or simplifying

\[x = \pm 2\sqrt{3}\]

you need to decide which solution is smaller

Answer 2

how do yo know which solution is smaller?

Answer 3

well it seems from what I've read on here... the negative is considered the smaller

Answer 4

how do you know which is the negative?

Answer 5

well try \[x = -\sqrt{12}\] or \[x = -2\sqrt{3}\]

Answer 6

so the answer would be -2

Answer 7

no the answer is

\[x = -\sqrt{12} \]

or \[x = -2\sqrt{3}\]

you need the full answer including the square root